Under a procedure being considered by House Democrats, the Senate bill would be deemed passed, without actually being voted on, when the House adopts rules for debate on the budget reconciliation bill.

The Democrats are trying to avoid accountability for an up-or-down vote, said Representative David Dreier of California, the senior Republican on the House rules committee. Its painful to see the gymnastics they are resorting to.

Democrats are reportedly pondering a parliamentary trick in the House by which they would pass the Senate version of the healthcare bill without actually voting on it. According Ezra Klein, Nancy Pelosi is going with a "deem and pass" strategy: "Rather than passing the Senate bill and then passing the fixes, the House will pass the fixes under a rule that says the House 'deems' the Senate bill passed after the House passes the fixes." This way House Democrats unhappy with the Senate bill and apprehensive about defending it on the campaign trail would not technically be on record as having voted for it. Call it "Healthcare Wars: The Phantom Passage."

So, the Senate does not have to vote for it again because they are not changing any of the Senate bill in the conference?

Thus the health care bill, if it passes the house, will be the Senate version?

Is that what is going on here?

Click to expand...

No, it means that the House does not have to vote on the Senate bill. They get to say it is 'deemed pass' without actually voting on it. They don't have the votes in the House right now and this by-passes that little problem. It's bullllshit.

"Republicans believe that if the Democrats are willing to have the government take over our health care system, they should be willing to vote for it -- without any gimmicks," House Republican Leader John Boehner's office said in a statement. "Democrats wonder why people are so upset with Washington."

Here's how the maneuver would work and why Pelosi wants it:

Before Congress can consider the package of changes that many lawmakers want in exchange for their support on the original bill, the House has to first pass the original bill from the Senate side.

Problem is, even with assurances that the package of changes will be considered, many House Democrats don't want to go on record in support of the Senate bill -- what with its sweetheart deals, tax on high-value insurance plans and other controversial provisions.

Enter the Pelosi tactic, known as a "self-executing rule."

Under this tactic, the House could simultaneously approve the Senate version of the bill while voting on the package of changes. This would "deem" the Senate bill passed, though not directly show members voting in favor of passage.

It may sound murky, but the option is winning favor among Democrats.

Pelosi reportedly told liberal bloggers Monday that "nobody wants to vote for the Senate bill," and so she's strongly considering the non-vote vote.

"I like it, because people don't have to vote on the Senate bill," she said.

Republicans are dubious.

"That's not exactly a ringing endorsement for a plan that will remake one-sixth of the American economy," Boehner's office said.

So, the Senate does not have to vote for it again because they are not changing any of the Senate bill in the conference?

Thus the health care bill, if it passes the house, will be the Senate version?

Is that what is going on here?

Click to expand...

No, it means that the House does not have to vote on the Senate bill. They get to say it is 'deemed pass' without actually voting on it. They don't have the votes in the House right now and this by-passes that little problem. It's bullllshit.

Click to expand...

it's a way of having your cake and not have the responsibility of the dirty deed. It will end up in the Supreme Court.

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